Adidas Is About to Release Its First 3D-Printed Shoes

The movie Back to the Future: Part II may have stirred up dreams of power laces all those years ago, but the space for real advancement in footwear technology may be in 3D printing. Shoes that are fully customizable, and assembled without glue or stitching, could very well mean whole a new level of comfort and performance. And now, thanks to Adidas' new 3D Runner, we'll soon get to test that theory.

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Mervin Kaye

The Three Stripes announced today that it will make its 3D-printed sneakers—unveiled last August in the run-up to the Rio Games—available to the public starting on Thursday, December 15. The shoes, which can be reserved starting December 13 on the Confirmed app, include features like a 3D web structure, which offers dense zones in high-force areas and less-dense zones in low-force areas to optimize performance. They also have a 3D-printed heel counter that is integrated into the midsole—which means greater elasticity, compliancy, and support due to the absence of gluing or stitching.

Adidas

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"This is just the beginning," Mikal Peveto, senior director of Adidas' Future team, said in a press statement. "Creating customized shoes based on an individual's footprint–including their running style, foot shape, performance needs, and personal preferences–is a north star for the industry and Adidas is leading with cutting-edge innovations."

@femsta

The 3D sneaks will retail for $333 and be available for pickup on December 15 at Adidas' New York flagship. The shoes will also be available in limited numbers in Tokyo and London.